Body found in debris of massive construction fire near downtown Denver

The fire broke out at a construction site near 18th and Emerson.

Author:
Allison Sylte

Published:
5:43 PM MST March 7, 2018

Updated:
10:34 PM MST March 7, 2018

A body has been found in the smoldering debris of a major fire at a construction site near downtown Denver Wednesday afternoon that sent a plume of smoke 200 feet into the air and was so hot that it demolished 40 cars.

One person was critically injured in the blaze and four others were injured either jumping from the burning building or catching people who were, Pixley said. A firefighter also suffered burn injuries.

PHOTOS: Huge flames at construction site fire

Large construction fire at 1833 Emerson

Large construction fire at 1833 Emerson

A view of the fire from our 20th floor balcony at One Lincoln Park

A view of the fire Near 17th and Clarkson.

Photo Courtesy: 9NEWS viewer Jimmy Luthye

Photo Courtesy: 9NEWS viewer Matt Dietz

Photo Courtesy: 9NEWS viewer Cachet Winterroth

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Large construction fire at 1833 Emerson

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Large construction fire at 1833 Emerson

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A view of the fire from our 20th floor balcony at One Lincoln Park

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A view of the fire Near 17th and Clarkson.

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Photo Courtesy: 9NEWS viewer Jimmy Luthye

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Photo Courtesy: 9NEWS viewer Matt Dietz

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Photo Courtesy: 9NEWS viewer Cachet Winterroth

Pixley said the person who died was a construction worker, as was the person who is still missing.

The fire was first reported at a construction site for what was supposed to be a new apartment building near 18th Avenue and Emerson Street at around 12:09 p.m.

Pixley says Denver Fire received reports that after the blaze broke out on the third floor of the building, construction workers leapt from the structure to avoid the rapidly growing flames, which consumed the exposed wood at the site within moments.

"This is very unique," Pixley said.

A construction worker climbing out of a building near 18th and Emerson.

The heat was so strong it could be felt 400 feet away, Pixley said. The National Weather Service was able to detect the smoke from its radar.

More than 100 firefighters ultimately responded. Pixley says the fire spread to five other buildings.

Embers also caused fires on the roofs of six nearby buildings, Pixley said, and the heat damaged three fire engines and three construction trucks.

The construction site where the fire first erupted is a total loss. It was supposed to become the Emerson Place Apartments, which would have been five stories with 85 units, according to the Denver Planning Commission.

Sites like this get inspected by city planning and fire department often. Denver Fire will get back to us on how often for this site and when the last inspection happened. #9News

Anyone who was in the area at the time of the blaze is asked to report to the parking lot at 18th Avenue and Emerson Street for a headcount, according to the Denver Police Department.

Police have already taken 100 witness statements about the blaze, and are asking anyone they haven't spoken to yet to call 720-337-2000 to talk to the Denver Fire Department's investigation division.

Park Avenue is closed from 17th to 20th Avenues due to the ongoing investigation. People are told to avoid the area of 18th and Emerson Street due to the active scene, the Denver Office of Emergency Management tweeted.

At about 6 p.m., Emerson reopened to traffic. Ogden Street to Clarkson Street - including Park Avenue - is still closed for the investigation.

Denver PD said late Wednesday night due to power outages, the intersections of 18th and Emerson, Park Ave and 19th Ave, and 19th Ave and Clarkson St. will all be marked as four-way stops through the morning hours.

As of around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the entire 1800 block of Emerson Street is under an evacuation order. An evacuation center was set up at the St. Charles Recreation Center at 3777 N. Lafayette St. until it closed at 10 p.m.

For those still needing help, you can call the Red Cross' 24-hour helpline at 1-800-417-0495.

Embers from the fire were found blocks away – and some of them were the size of softballs.